We are excited to announce one of the projects we worked on this summer, the rain garden located at the Anglican Church of the Incarnation in Oakville (1240 Old Abbey Lane, L6M 3Y4).

The rain garden at the Church of Incarnation will help catch run off water from their large parking lot, and will retain water before it reaches the stormwater drain. This will reduce run off and decrease the amount of pollutants entering their neighbourhoods creek. This project will also add to the impressive list of green initiatives the church community has become involved in, such as their new geo-thermal heating system, buckthorn removal in their properties forest, and rain barrels to water their community garden.

Before the garden was built the parking lot suffered from the pooling of water and mud after rainfall and thaw, causing inaccessibility for 2 parking spots for some months of the year. Capturing runoff water has improved the parking lot condition and helped clear those 2 parking spots.

Raingarden at INCA after a rainfall.

The garden was designed by Sean James (landscape designer specializing in native species and rain gardens). A large number of community groups and organizations were involved and made this project a community success. The process included site assessments, volunteer training, garden design, site preparation and planting and mulching. Partners included Green Communities Canada, Halton Environmental Network, Halton Food Council, Fern Ridge Eco Landscaping, Harpski Landscaping, and Maple Hill Tree Services and the Anglican Church of the Incarnation and community volunteers. We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Scott’s Canada who provided the necessary funding and grants to make the plan a reality.

Planting day at INCA!

On June 2019, Oakvillegreen delivered a presentation to members of the congregation to explain the importance of Green Infrastructure and Rain gardens, as well as describe the volunteer roles needed during the project.

On June 7th the site preparation was started with 3 volunteers and staff from the aforementioned landscaping companies which included removal of the sod and soil, and excavation to provide the correct gradient and slope to the garden. Scott’s compost was added to help break the clay and loosen the soil.

On June 13th with help from volunteers, the garden was finally planted. During the event, volunteers helped dig and plant native shrubs, flowers, grasses and sedges. Scott’s mulch was then put in place.

Throughout the summer visits have been made by Oakvillegreen to remove weeds, water the plants, and monitor the gardens after rainfalls.

The Anglican Church of Incarnation is delighted with the garden they helped plant and the environmental impact it will contribute to their own backyard.